RED SOX NOTEBOOK: Johnson, Holt put to test

By Bill Koch / Providence Journal

Saturday

May 11, 2019 at 6:55 PM

Brian Johnson (left elbow) threw two innings in a simulated game against Brock Holt (right eye/right shoulder) and Steve Pearce on Saturday. Johnson and Holt both appear close to beginning rehab assignments while Pearce took some extra reps attempting to escape his early-season funk.

BOSTON - There was important action underway long before Saturday’s first pitch against the Mariners at Fenway Park.

Brian Johnson (left elbow) threw two innings in a simulated game against Brock Holt (right eye/right shoulder) and Steve Pearce. Johnson and Holt both appear close to beginning rehab assignments while Pearce took some extra reps attempting to escape his early-season funk.

Johnson threw 30 pitches to his teammates and continues to work his way back from an injury that has sidelined him since April 6. Holt could start a third stint with a minor league affiliate – likely Triple-A Pawtucket – as early as Tuesday after a pair of previous setbacks.

“We still have to decide what we’re going to do next week with (Johnson),” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “With Brock, he did everything today except throwing. We’ll see how he reacts to it.”

Nathan Eovaldi (right elbow) also has resumed baseball activities. The right-hander played catch while throwing from his knees for the second time since having stitches removed from his elbow earlier this week. Eovaldi underwent arthroscopic surgery in late April to clear some loose bodies from the joint.

“I don’t want to say a number – I think it was 30 (throws) or something like that,” Cora said. “That’s the second time that he’s done it. Just building up.”

There will be more pregame action worth watching before the series finale with the Mariners on Sunday. David Price (left elbow tendinitis) is scheduled to throw his first bullpen session since hitting the injured list. Price was shut down following his last start during the four-game series with the White Sox and has played catch three times over the past week.

“He’s throwing a bullpen tomorrow,” Cora said. “Let’s see how that goes and we’ll decide what we’re going to do after that.”

Chris Sale will start Tuesday against the Rockies, opening a brief two-game set. Boston has yet to name its pitcher for Wednesday’s matchup with Colorado.

Devers on fire: Rafael Devers continues to be one of the hottest hitters in the Boston lineup.

The third baseman reached base in each of his first three trips on Saturday, including a two-run single in the third inning. Devers ended the day with the club lead in batting average, doubles and hits, the start of what could be a breakout second full season in the big leagues.

“We’ve been very pleased with him the whole season,” Cora said. “He’s keeping everything simple. He’s using his hands. He’s been able to pull the ball now.”

Devers managed a .298 on-base percentage through 121 games last season. That number stood at .390 through 39 games in 2019, partly aided by 17 walks in 160 plate appearances. His second home run came in Friday’s 14-1 blowout of Seattle, part of a 3-for-5 night.

“I know people are getting caught up on the home runs, but if he keeps dominating the strike zone the way he is then that part of the game is going to happen,” Cora said. “He’s hitting for average. He’s getting on base.”

Milestone moment: There was a milestone for Felix Hernandez on a day in which he was saddled with a thumping defeat.

Hernandez’s strikeout of Michael Chavis in the second inning was the 2,500th of his career. He’s the 36th pitcher in Major League Baseball history to reach that mark and the second this season, joining Washington right-hander Max Scherzer.

“He’s a different pitcher now,” Cora said. “Kind of like C.C. (Sabathia) and all those guys – he’s reinvented himself and they go to the breaking ball.”

Hernandez was three days past legal drinking age when he turned in one of the finest starts of his career against the Red Sox in 2007. The right-hander fired a one-hit shutout at Fenway Park in a 3-0 win on April 11, allowing a lone single to J.D. Drew leading off the bottom of the eighth inning.

Cora was out of the lineup that evening for Boston. He went 1-for-5 against Hernandez in his career, knocking a double to account for the only hit.

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